Kayak hull/deck flares

ABSTRACT

This invention incorporates a narrow hull profile below the shear/water line with flares to widen the hull above the shear/water line to provide additional stability in rough water conditions. Waves in rough water conditions will wrap around the lower hull and make contact with the flares and increase the amount of hull in contact with the water and therefore increase the hulls stability.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is in the field of kayak hull design. Basically kayak hulls come in multiple hull designs and widths. Narrow hulls are fast yet less stable in rough water conditions. Wide hulls are stable under most water conditions but are slow and require more effort to paddle over long distances.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention incorporates a narrow hull profile below the shear/water line with flares to widen the hull above the shear/water line to provide additional stability in rough water conditions. Waves in rough water conditions will wrap around the lower hull and make contact with the flares and increase the amount of hull in contact with the water and therefore increase the hulls stability.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1A—Shows the hull in plan view. This shows the area near the cockpit left open for clear paddling

FIG. 2A—Shows the hull in cross section. This view shows the flares position in relation to the shear/water line in calm conditions.

FIG. 3A—Shows the hull in cross section. This view shows the flares position in relation to the water line in wavy conditions.

FIG. 4A—Shows the hull in elevation (side) view. This view shows the rise of the flares at the bow and stern which prevent the wings from increasing the boats tendency to dive into waves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an improvement on kayak hull designs by adding hull/deck flares above the shear/water line to increase stability in rough water conditions without increasing hull cross section in calm water conditions (see FIG. 2A). The hull/deck flares do not contact the water until rough water conditions producing waves raise the water into contact with the flares (see FIG. 3A). The increased amount of hull in contact with the water increases the kayaks stability.

FIG. 1A shows the areas forward and behind the cockpit left clear of for with reduced flares. This is done to allow the kayaker to paddle freely without obstruction. The maximum width at the cockpit would not exceed twenty eight inches. The flares forward and behind the cockpit would not exceed four inches beyond the hull width below the shear/water line on either side (at the ends of the center cockpit area) and tapper to no more than two inches at the bow and stern.

The flares should rise upward as the get closer to the bow and stern (see FIG. 4A). This allows waves to flow under the flares providing lift in lieu of pressing downward onto the flare. This improves the performance of the flares by increasing the amount of water underneath the hull by keeping the hulls bow and stern above the waves. If the flares enter a wave the design will still improve stability by providing a greater hull cross-section.

Waves intersection the hull from a ninety degree angle will have no effect on the hulls stability since the amount of hull in contact with the water has been increased. 

1. (canceled)
 2. I claim an improved kayak hull design using hull/deck flares above the shear/water line of calm water conditions, which increases kayak stability in rough water without increasing the drag on the hull in those calm water conditions. 